'First Step Toward Unified Government Agreement' Lee... What About Yoon and Ahn's Unification?

Lee and Kim Take First Step Toward Unified Government Through Unification
Yoon and Ahn Unification 'Temporarily Suspended'

On the afternoon of the 21st of last month, presidential candidates were preparing for the first debate hosted by the National Election Commission at the MBC Media Center Public Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul, ahead of the 20th presidential election debate.
From left to right: Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party presidential candidate; Ahn Cheol-soo, People's Party presidential candidate; Sim Sang-jung, Justice Party presidential candidate; Yoon Seok-youl, People Power Party presidential candidate. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] As Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced an agreement to form a unified government, attention is focused on whether Yoon Seok-yeol of the People Power Party and Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Party will continue discussions on unification, and on the future moves of Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party candidate.

At the second legally mandated TV debate hosted by the National Election Commission on the 25th of last month, Candidate Lee said, "I fully agree with Candidate Sim and Candidate Ahn's remarks, and we must reform the electoral system, including proportional representation that properly reflects the will of the people, so that a third choice is possible." Since then, he has been focusing all efforts on building a so-called 'anti-Yoon (反尹)' coalition by inducing consensus on the need for political change and a coalition government with Candidates Ahn and Sim, excluding Candidate Yoon.

On the 2nd, Kim Dong-yeon, the candidate of the New Wave party, declared his withdrawal from the race. After meeting Candidate Lee on the 1st and agreeing on a 'joint declaration for political change' with the promise to form a national unity government as partners in state administration to solve structural problems, he officially announced unification.

On the morning of the same day, Kim held a press conference titled 'Political Change and Joint Government' at his campaign office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, stating, "I am stepping down from the presidential candidacy today," and added, "From today, I will tie my shoelaces again to support Candidate Lee Jae-myung's victory."

Regarding his withdrawal, he said, "It was not an easy decision for me," and asked for understanding that "it was a difficult decision made to realize the values and philosophy we pursue."

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, the Democratic Party held a party meeting and adopted a political reform plan as the party's official stance. This plan includes a '7th Republic constitutional amendment' within one year of government formation to prevent satellite parties, a decentralized presidential system and a responsible prime minister system, the introduction of a mixed-member proportional representation system, and the operation of a 'Common Policy Promotion Committee' under the transition committee to establish an independent decision-making body dedicated to real estate and education policies. The plan also includes forming a 'national unity government' as partners of the two candidates.

In addition, Candidate Lee's side is also sending love calls to Kim Jong-in, former chief election strategist of the People Power Party. On the 2nd, Woo Sang-ho, the general headquarters chief of the Democratic Party's election committee, praised in an interview on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' saying, "If Candidate Lee is elected, there will definitely be occasions to receive help from important elders regarding government plans," and added, "Elders like former Chairman Kim and other leaders qualified as national leaders of Korea are very precious people."

On the 1st, the 'Committee for Promoting a Coalition Government for National Unity,' consisting of 20 elders from religion, politics, and civil society, held a press conference in Jung-gu, Seoul, requesting, "Major candidates running in the 20th presidential election should promise the public on TV debates to participate in forming a coalition government for national unity."

In response, Chief Woo said, "Even people like former Chairman Kim Jong-in and former Minister Yoon Yeo-jun are supporting from afar." This was interpreted as a positive response to Candidate Lee's unified government proposal, as elders such as Monk Beopryun and former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-jun proposed coalition government formation and constitutional amendments to presidential candidates.

Meanwhile, discussions on unification between Candidate Yoon and Candidate Ahn are in a 'temporary suspension' state.

At the March 1st Independence Movement Day ceremony, Candidate Ahn affirmed his determination to complete the presidential race, saying, "(Including my wife Kim Mi-kyung) both of us have completed three full marathon courses."

Regarding unification with Candidate Yoon, Candidate Ahn said, "I do not feel sincerity," but when asked if he would meet Candidate Yoon, he left room for possibility, saying, "If we discuss important agendas, I am willing to meet any politician."

On the 2nd, Kim Jae-won, the highest committee member of the People Power Party, said regarding the breakdown of opposition candidate unification negotiations, "We will continue efforts for unification until the final vote."

In an interview on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' on the same day, Kim said, "Everyone acknowledges that unification is the most effective and certain strategy for regime change."

He also argued, "If Candidate Ahn goes to the end, he cannot be the main actor of regime change," and added, "Isn't it true that Candidate Ahn cannot even play a small role in helping regime change?"

Meanwhile, on the same day, Yeo Young-guk, leader of the Justice Party, described the unification between Candidates Lee and Kim as an "expected step," and said, "We do not feel pressured (to unify)."

In an interview on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' Leader Yeo said that the Democratic Party's political reform plan "prioritizes election strategy to win over sincerity for reform," and added, "If Candidate Lee's approval rating was overwhelmingly ahead, would they have brought up political reform at the last minute? Whether they win or lose the election, I feel bitter about how they will handle (the reform plan)."

She also said, "I don't think the content of the reform plan is bad," but criticized, "Then why do it just a few days before the voting day?"

As the positions of each party on forming a unified government and unification diverge, on the 2nd (today), four presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties?Lee Jae-myung, Yoon Seok-yeol, Sim Sang-jung, and Ahn Cheol-soo?will clash in the third TV debate hosted by the National Election Commission.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.